Kenneth "Ken" Wilbur Halvorson

Kenneth Wilbur "Ken" Halvorson, 82, of Hermiston and formerly of La Grande, died Jan. 22 at his home.

At his request, there will be no services held at this time. A celebration of life graveside service with military honors will be held at the Hermiston Cemetery at a later date.

Ken was born April 19, 1927, to Andrew and Anna (Berg) Halvorson at Bottineau, N.D. Ken was raised in North Dakota until the family moved to La Grande when he was in high school. He graduated from high school in La Grande.

On July 1, 1950, he married Ruby Marie Thorne in Walla Walla. Ken served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict from 1950 until 1956. After the service he returned to La Grande where he worked for Pacific Northwest Bell and then for Boise Cascade. In 1989 he retired and moved to Selah, Wash., for three years and finally to Hermiston where the couple has lived since. Ken attended the Lutheran Church. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and he loved his grandsons.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruby of Hermiston; daughter, Kenda and her husband, Steven Irby, of Otis Orchards, Wash.; brother, Eldon Halvorson of Mesa, Ariz.; sister, Grace Madsen of Salem; two grandsons; and nine nieces and three nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeanne Halvorson in 2004; and his parents.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oregon Trail Special Olympics, P.O. Box 28, Hermiston 97838.

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